(BBC) France has sent two ministers to the French Caribbean for a first-hand assessment of the dengue epidemic in the islands.

Health minister Roselyne Bachelot and overseas territories minister Marie-Luce Penchard visited hospitals in Martinique and Guadeloupe.

They also met French soldiers who were sent to the region to help in the campaign to destroy mosquito breeding sites.

Since the epidemic began back in December there have been thousands of cases with Guadeloupe the worst affected.

At least 18 people have died from dengue fever since the beginning of February.

Residents are being told to drain any places that could serve as mosquito breeding grounds.

Warning about
Haitian children

UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, says it remains concerned that many children and lactating mothers in Haiti remain at risk of malnutrition.

The agency said it was continuing to work to help stabilise the health situation, more than seven months after the earthquake.

It has announced the conclusion of a second round of vaccinations for 180,000 children.